Sunflowers, mice, and more

In the June 2 edition of The Sun Day, Chris La Pelusa invited readers to share their unique collections.

“Seriously, I really want to know. If you have an opinion or would like to share your collection,” he said.

Judith Aronson answered his call. Her collection concerns sunflowers. She said, “I still have some of the same items from 20 years ago but have added to them.”

Aronson’s collection has grown in 20 years. Why sunflowers?

Aronson said, “They are very special to me. They follow the sun.”

The sunflower does indeed follow the sun. The green flower bud and blossom stem always face east for the early morning sun. Throughout the day they follow the sun across the sky until it faces the west for the last of the sun’s rays. Then, overnight, the flowers return to facing east to start the process again.

Aronson said, “Nothing has changed in 20 years, except my buying more sunflower items, gaining weight, and being with a new mate.”

Aronson’s home captures the radiant beauty and energy of its owner’s love for sunflowers. As you walk up to the door, there is a bench with sunflowers, a doormat, metal sunflower in a pot (decorated with sunflowers). Inside there are stained glass sunflowers, ceramic pieces, frames, dishes, glasses, books, canisters, furniture, cushions, a shower curtain, cabinet pulls, and more. In the backyard, items include a sunflower fountain and lawn chairs.

What is her favorite piece?

Aronson said, “In the kitchen, there are paper towels that have sunflowers printed on them. The towels are 20 years old. I won’t let anyone use them.”

“I once dressed like a sunflower for Halloween,” Aronson added. “The sunflower, more than ever, has brought a special meaning to me. People around the world are embracing the bright bloom as a symbol of solidarity with Ukraine.”

It’s no secret that mice love sunflower seeds. A few miles away, Shirley Kroot has a collection of mice in exquisite blown glass and beanie babies, collected through her lifetime and reminders of her travels.

Why mice?

Kroot said, “When Michael and I were first married, we lived on the North Side of Chicago. He would go to work every day and spend $2 for lunch. That was a lot out of our budget. I decided to make him a sandwich for lunch to take. The first day I made the sandwich for him to take to work, before I packed it, I took a bite out of it. He came home and told me, ‘We have a mouse in the house.’ That’s how it started.”

What is her favorite piece?

Kroot said, “I don’t know if I could name just one.

I have about 30 of them. They are from places I have traveled to. I have a beautiful Murano glass mouse that I got in Quebec. I bought an amber mouse from Poland. From Norway, I got this smooth mouse.”

Kroot houses her mice on display in a glass curio. There are several small Swarovski crystal mice. Kroot has a framed needlepoint of a mouse that she has completed and a painting by artist Ted DeGraiza.

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